MAKO Challenge 2026: Elevating Navy Reserve Readiness
27 February 2026
Navy Warfare Development Center --
Norfolk, Va. --Navy Reserve Sailors from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. 2nd Fleet, and U.S. 4th Fleet gathered at Navy Warfare Development Center for MAKO Challenge 2026 exercise, held from Feb. 19-22. This annual event offers Reserve Sailors the unique opportunity to engage in a hands-on environment where they can hone their skills in operating from a Maritime Operations Center (MOC). Simulating a real-world operational-level war environment, the exercise prepares them to seamlessly integrate with their active-duty counterparts in the event of a national conflict, ensuring a cohesive and highly effective force.
As part of a comprehensive annual training series, MAKO Challenge plays a crucial role in enhancing the warfighting readiness of over 1,000 Reserve Sailors each year, with nearly 250 Sailors participating in this year's event. These exercises are designed to provide an immersive, realistic training experience, pushing participants to confront and solve challenges that arise in complex, high-stakes operational settings. The training aims to sharpen their decision-making abilities, improve their technical proficiency, and strengthen their capacity to execute missions under the pressure of a fast-paced, multi-faceted conflict scenario.
Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, addressed participants highlighting the critical role of the MAKO series in the Navy’s readiness strategy. "The MAKO series is vital to our fleet's readiness, providing our Reserve Sailors with the hands-on training necessary to operate seamlessly within our Maritime Operations Centers. In today's complex security environment, our ability to achieve decision advantage depends on a force that can synthesize vast amounts of information and act decisively,” Adm. Thomas remarked. “Exercises like MAKO Challenge ensure that our active and reserve team receive the reps and sets, learn the systems, build the processes, while forging trust to build the warfighters needed to outthink and outmaneuver any adversary across all domains of naval warfare."
The MAKO exercise series is more than just a training event, it is an ongoing evolution designed to continuously refine the capabilities of the Navy Reserve force. With each event, Sailors build on their skills, gain exposure to new challenges, and prepare to serve in a force that is both flexible and resilient in the face of evolving global security challenges. The exercise not only emphasizes the development of technical expertise, but also the importance of cultivating a unified, adaptable force. By focusing on collaboration between active and reserve Sailors, MAKO Challenge strengthens the bonds of teamwork and builds a shared understanding of operational procedures and strategic objectives. As the Navy continues to evolve in response to emerging global threats, it is this level of integration and coordination that will prove vital in maintaining a decisive edge over adversaries.
Chief Electrician’s Mate Elizabeth Logue, assistant battle watch captain for the U.S. 2nd Fleet MOC team, underscored the significant value of the MAKO Challenge’s training environment. "MAKO Challenge was an amazing real-time training environment where everything can and will go wrong on watch, but we still have time to learn, talk through challenges, and find the right path forward from the MOC," said Logue.
As the Navy remains committed to maintaining a ready and capable force, the MAKO Challenge ensures that Reserve Sailors are equipped with the expertise, confidence, and trust required to succeed in future conflicts. Reserve members and units interested in becoming MOC-qualified or participating in future MAKO exercises can contact the Commander Naval Reserve Forces Command MAKO planning team to register for one of the remaining events this year.